A new breed will run out on Sunday when the Sharks and Breakers kick off their 2019 Group 3 rugby league campaigns.

Gone are names such as Joey Cudmore, Matt Shipway, David Geary, Tom Maguire and Mitch Fowler.

In their place are little-known names such as Matt Everitt, Kyle Robbins, Brandon Phelan and Jack Williams.

Add in Sharks debutant halfback Josh Dwyer - who will make his first grade debut - along with Tyler Hyde and it's all a little unknown.

Dwyer has an impressive CV that includes stints with the Newcastle Knights younger grades before he made the decision to return home.

The Sharks junior, however, has played in the Knights Harold Matthews (under-16 team) over the last couple of years.

"I was in the summer squad for SG Ball (under-18s) too, but decided to pull out of that and concentrate on my HSC," he said.

Well-respected Sharks club identities have high hopes for the St Joseph's Regional College student who will fill a jumper previously worn by Cudmore.

"I'm pretty nervous, but we had a few trial games so it makes me a little more comfortable, but I'm definitely nervous," Dwyer admitted.

"It's definitely a good opportunity to try and grab a position within the squad and then keep it.

"I'll try to have a good, safe game and hopefully keep my spot for the other rounds."

While his stint in Newcastle didn't turn out the way he would have liked, the Knights' loss is the Sharks gain.

"I learned a lot while I was there; the tempo with the ball, you defence and your whole game improves," he said.

"Hopefully I'll have a safe game (on Sunday) and direct the boys around."

The talented halfback played a vital role in the Sharks' 12-8 victory over Old Bar in the 2018 Group 3 under-18 grand final win.

On the other side of halfway is Hyde.

He played a number of matches for the Breakers last season and his impressive form in their pre-season trials has earned him a spot on coach Dan Kemp's bench.

He knows what to expect in the first grade environment.

"I learned about the contact last year and the pace of the game is a lot quicker," he said.

"But being out there playing with smarter and better footy players makes it a bit easier."

Hyde said there was always plenty of feeling in any local derby.

"(There is) nothing better than playing Port - the home town rivals - we always want to get a win up over them and bragging rights," he said.

They won't admit it publicly, but last year's grand final defeat to the Sharks still burns in the back of their minds.

A first-up victory in round one will go a small way to avenging last year's defeat.

"We're always looking to the future, not the past," Hyde said.

Sunday's first grade match kicks off at 3pm.

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